Letter 67 - Or as the kids would say . . . Six - Seven!!

Dear loved ones, 

Hello from Thailand! It is hard to believe we have been on a mission for 67 weeks! It is also hard to believe that 2 weeks ago, John was wrapping up 2 weeks in the hospital. I can't believe John's brother, Rick and Belle have come and gone! I can't believe we survived immigration last Friday. And I can't believe another transfer is wrapping up and we are saying goodbye to missionaries (whom we have grown to love and will miss so much) and welcoming new missionaries this week (that we know we will love).

Update on John: He continues to improve which we are so grateful for. He goes to bed a little earlier these days and takes an occasional afternoon nap as his energy levels return. His stomach is still sensitive, but that is to be expected. 

I will move on to the pictures. 

But before I do, we love you and miss you and thank you for your love, support, prayers, and kind texts, emails, and comments!

Love, 

Elder and Sister Brady (mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, John and Shelly, and so on)

Last Friday was immigration day! We got up at 0'dark 30! Well, 3:30am to be exact! I can't believe we are even smiling in this picture! We caught a Grab (taxi) at 4:00am and headed over to the immigration government building. We stood in line until 5am to get into the building. We were given numbers to stand in another line inside the building. At 6am, we were given new numbers to sit in a line (there were numbered chairs lined up for us to sit in while waited for the office to open at 8am. Once we got our chair numbers we went downstairs to sign immigration papers, find some breakfast and take a walk around the building. Pictured above is us with the MTC Leaders, President and Sister Harper. Smiling! 

This is us a little before 5:00am - standing in line to get a number and enter the building. We were a little concerned with how Elder Brady would hold up considering he was in the hospital just one week before. And his stomach was still hurting somewhat. Thankfully, he did OK. I was concerned because my experience at immigration last year was not good. I had a horrible headache last year and some stomach issues (I will say nothing more about that). Last year's queue number had us seen just before noon, so it was a long difficult day for me. I was not looking forward to going to immigration.

I am happy to say, I did NOT have a headache this time! And my stomach was working just fine! Additionally, we got a lower queue number and we were finished just after 10am and home by 11am! Here we are taking a little walk to explore the building and stretch our legs. 

Sitting in our assigned chairs, waiting for the office to open! 

After we got home, we ate some lunch and then proceeded to take 2 hour naps! It was the best! Then I got a message from Belle asking if we were going to be in the office. So of course, we went down to spend some time with Belle in our office. We met Belle last year at the RMRT conference. Her favorite thing to do is to make fun of Elder Brady! Haha!

We also got to meet Belle's boyfriend, Anden! 

He served his mission here and is back in Thailand to visit Belle. 

Saturday morning we did our first virtual house inspections! Our favorite thing to do is to do house inspections! Not that we love inspecting the houses . . . but we love to spend time with the missionaries! We often go to lunch with them and get to know them better! With Elder Brady's stay in the hospital and concerns about traveling about our Zone until he is feeling better, we did some inspections via Messenger Video. These are our dear Rayong Elders (we were so sad not be in Rayong). Elders Westcott and Casinillo did a great job (as far as we could see via video!)! 

But seriously, I was so impressed with how they polished the bathroom fixtures! I had to take a picture!

Look! You can see Elder Westcott's smiling face in the reflection! 

Sisters Jasper and Henry both serve in Rayong! We were so excited to have Sisters in Rayong, but we hardly got to go down there this month! They also did a nice job cleaning! Sister Henry heads back to the USA this week. We will miss her!

After we did the house inspections, we Facetimed with Kevin! 

One week and one day after getting out of the hospital, Elder Brady heads out on his first "field trip." He decided meatballs and potatoes sounded good for lunch. So we headed over to IKEA. This is the Emsphere Mall (where IKEA is located). They always have some sort of gorgeous art or holiday decorations here. Elder Brady is taking a rest on the bench.

Look who is in town!! Rick and Belley caught the train and met us at IKEA. They arrived in Thailand the day before and were excited to spend some time with us. Originally, we had some plans to head to an Ancient City and maybe go to the beach, but they said they would be happy just hanging out and catching up and relaxing with us! Thailand is hot this time of year, so they were fine staying indoors with the cool AC and enjoy some time with us and some time at their hotel. So Saturday we basically went to lunch together! We sat and visited with them for quite a long time! It was lovely. 

The sunset looked so beautiful from the window next to our apartment on the 5th floor. My iphone does not quite capture what I saw, but I am leaving this photo here for the memory! 

Saturday evening we talked to Dawson (Kevin's son) and wished him a happy birthday! 

Happy Birthday 9 year old! I am so thankful for technology and how we can stay connected to our children and grandchildren even though we are so far away! In fact, Michelle's daughter Jenna called me Sunday morning (Saturday evening for her) for a school assignment. She wanted to talk about the 80s decade! She asked me a lot of questions and it was fun answering her and remembering my life in the 80s! A lot happened for me in that decade!! I went from graduating high school, to college, to meeting and dating and getting married to my eternal companion (and current mission companion - haha), to becoming a mother and having our first 2 children! One thing that was fun to talk about was how different communication was back then. The thought that we could talk to each other and see each other's faces on the other side of the world was like SCIENCE FICTION!! We couldn't even call each other because it was so expensive! No texts! No emails! Just good old fashioned hand written letters! I do miss getting letters in the mail (which is probably why I still love Christmas cards!) but the crazy wonderful things we can do today is amazing! I love that I can talk to my children on the phone or via video anytime I want to! Well that was a tangent . . . wasn't it?! Haha! 

So . . . where was I? Sunday! We talked to Jenna and then went to church. Rick and Belley came over and we fed them a spaghetti dinner. They brought us some Cinnabon! Yum! And we played Risk! Rick brought the game from the USA, to the Philippines, and on to Thailand! Thanks Rick! I was the biggest loser! I lost my strong hold on North America early on. John ended up conquering us all! He ruled the world and was very happy about it! Nobody was mad because he had just gotten out of the hospital. I am not saying we let him win ... 

Sunday evening - another beautiful sunset. I zoomed in this time for you! 

Monday morning workout. Same stairs. Same shirt. 

Monday, Rick and Belle came over again and we ventured across the street to the building behind us (we walked under the street via the subway tunnels so we didn't have to dodge cars on the road). 

We had lunch together at a little restaurant. We ate yummy Salmon Salad!

Rick and Belle came back over to our apartment and we watched a movie and visited some more! 

We sure were happy to see them and so glad that they spent time with us in Thailand! 

Tuesday we did a house inspection on line with Elders Guanuna and Hunt and I forgot to take a picture! We also headed back to the office and had a ton of work to do! So we did some catching up in the office. 

Wednesday we did a house inspection with the Chonburi Elders! 

Elders Kelly and DeLange did a fantabulous job!

Once again, I am so pleased with the shiny faucets! This is where the bonus points happen!

When it was all said and done, Elder Brady gave them an A plus!! 

Also on Wednesday, Sister Call and I headed out on an adventure! We often get packages for the missionaries that don't make it to our office, because they get stuck in customs. Usually, we can pay a small fee (or sometimes large fee) and the package will be delivered. But sometimes there are additional charges and issues. Sister Peterson had a package that was held up for months. Since she was supposed to pick it up in person, but could not do that based on where she is serving in the mission now, we gathered up signed permission letters and passports and all that was needed to try and pick up her package! The Customs Postal office was an hour plus away by subway, train, and walking to the final destination! And it was hot out! We were melting! We got there around 11am and then we had to jump through some hoops. They did not want to let us pick it up at first, but finally agreed it would be OK. We got a number and were told to sit and wait until we were called!

Well, our queue number was 31! As you can see on the screen in the background, they were on number 30! We were next and we were very excited to finally get Sister Peterson's package . . . and then we saw all the lights go off! And then we read the sign that said the office was closed for lunch! We had to wait another hour. Did I mention I was VERY HUNGRY??? And I was looking forward to leftover spaghetti back at the house?? I could feel my energy drain and I was maybe even feeling a little frustrated and  HANGRY!!! 

Fortunately, right next to the waiting area, there was a little stand that made fruit smoothies. We each bought a smoothie and Sister Call bought us some cookies. The Hanger left and the energy flowed back into our veins! We got back to sharing stories and sipping on our smoothies while we waited. 

And at last, nearly 5 hours later, we had Sister Peterson's package. There was a huge storage fee and custom taxes that had to be paid (which gets taken out of the missionaries funds), but the mission was accomplished. Sister Peterson was very happy! Here we are waiting for a Grab ride home!

Wednesday, late afternoon, Elder Brady gave a patriarchal blessing to Elder Seesombat, one of our missionaries who was heading home from his 2 year mission on Thursday. That was a special experience. We will miss Elder Seesombat. 

Thursday morning breakfast. Chocolate milk! There is this amazing chocolate milk you can buy at 7-11 here in Thailand. It is called Dutch Mill. And we discovered if you freeze it, it turns into soft serve chocolate ice cream! And it is the best breakfast "drink" ever! FYI - I ate some fruit too. 

Speaking of fruit, Elder Brady and I took a walk to the market to pick up 25 bags for fruit for the transfer breakfast on Friday morning. 

On our walk home, I noticed some workers painting over the graffiti on the walls near the bridge. 

So I took a picture for you all to enjoy. I wonder how long the wall will stay clean?!

Elders Wingrove and Olson stopped by to say hello. And we said goodbye to Sister Cameron who is heading home to Australia! She is the first missionary we met in the MTC 15 months ago!!

Sisters Jasper and Sister Makilan stopped in the office to chat with us. 

We talked for almost an hour! 

Friday morning! Transfer day and new arrival training day! It is so good to see all of these happy faces! 

Sisters Brunt, Lundberg, me, Peterson (proud owner of a long awaited for package), Allen (brand new sister missionary), Makilan, Zabala, and Jasper! Photo cred: Elder Richards (who did a selfie but did not include himself!)

Missionaries gather around to see who the new arrivals will be paired with. 

Sister Allen will be trained by Sister Lundberg! And Elder Banana will be trained by Elder Hiatt! 

Friday afternoon, Elder Brady and I wait at the Doctor's office for a report on his ultrasound. Good news - things are looking very good! Bloodwork, ultrasound, everything is heading in the right direction. There is still some inflammation and that explains some continued pain, but we feel your prayers and are so grateful that he is continuing to heal! 

Friday late afternoon walk home from the hospital. I wanted to get a picture of the graffiti across the way that seems to considered art along this walkway. I always wonder why sometimes it is considered art and other times it needs to be painted over. In the middle of my picture taking a motorcycle sailed by (on this pedestrian only walkway) . . . oh well! Haha! 

Home at last and we ran into these great Elders! Elder Htoo is back in Bangkok! Yay! His new companion is Elder Guanuna. Elder Hunt is leaving Bangkok and heading to Nong Khai! 

And here is a picture with out my hair flying in my face! 

And that wraps up this week! 

Do you realize that we only have 5 transfers left???

Spoiler alert - I need to head up to our apartment and start packing! 

We are moving tomorrow!

It is just down the hall to a bigger room - The Meekers from the West Mission are headed home and we are inheriting the bigger apartment! We are going to miss the Meekers!

We love you and we miss you!

Thanks for reading! 

Letter 66 - Vernon Trip to Thailand Part 2 AND Happy Songkran

Dear family and friends, 

Happy Songkran to you all! April 13th - 15th is the Thai New Year National Holiday! Everything shuts down and there are celebrations everywhere (mostly with water fights)! I will talk more about it in the pictures that follow.

As I mentioned last week, John came home from the hospital on Friday evening, the 10th. Michelle and family left early Saturday morning, the 11th. Saturday and Sunday we spent watching General Conference, resting, and recuperating at home from the past 2 crazy weeks. Monday - Thursday, we had doctor's appointments (follow up for John), work in the office (lots to catch up on), a senior missionary Songkran field trip to a giant park across from the Grand Palace (we went there last year at Songkran too - John opted out this time), and a house inspection with the Calls!

I will post this Thursday since we have to go to immigration at 4am Friday morning (to renew our visa's) and then John's brother Rick and Belle arrive for a 3 day visit with us.

This post will include part 2 of Michelle's family visit to Thailand as well as a picture of two from this week. 

Before I start in with the pictures, I will update you on John. He is home and doing much better. His stomach still bothers him, but that is to be expected with the amount of inflammation he is dealing with. And he is working on building his energy back up. 

We are so grateful for all of you, for your love, support, kind words, encouragement, and prayers!

With love,

Elder and Sister Brady (mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, John and Shelly and so on)

This portion of the pictures goes back to Thursday, the 9th! We started our morning with coconut smoothies and a boat taxi on the Klong to the hospital to visit John. We normally walk along the Klong, but the weather is HOT and we knew we would be doing a ton of walking today. Plus the kids were excited to ride on the water! Do you see the excited kids in the picture above?

After we visited Grandpa, we got back on the boat and headed back to Asoke road where we stopped at the local university market to see all of the cool foods and goods for sale! We had to stop to try the coconut drinks and coconut pudding!

The next stop was the local market where you can get lunch among other delicious foods and goods! We ate an early lunch here! This is truly where the locals eat! It is warm inside, but fans are funning to try and cool us down. Drew had Kao Soi. I had Pad Thai and Michelle tried a rice dish!

Looking cool after a yummy lunch! 

Our next stop was Terminal 21! Our itinerary on Thursday included time outside and then inside a mall to cool off! It was around 100 degrees every day this week. We were smart and remember to bring umbrellas to keep the sun off of us - but it was still so hot! Thailand is getting ready to celebrate Thai New Years - Songkran! We saw signs of it everywhere, including this sign, so we stopped for a photo! 

Terminal 21 is a fun mall with different themes on every floor based on cities around the world. I had heard the bathrooms were all themed and so we had to check them out! This is the restroom on the London floor! If you keep walking, you get to the actual men and women's rooms. 

This is Japan! I love the pretty Bonzai trees. Drew served his mission in Japan - so he needed to be in this shot! Drew and August! Konichiwa!

The restroom on the Istanbul had a hot air balloon theme!

San Francisco 49ers Bathroom!!August and Audrey throw the football! 

Cheerleaders in the San Francisco Women's room! The Men's room had footballs hanging from the ceiling! Michelle, Audrey, Jenna, and Grandma!

It was time to head back outside and walk through Lumphini Park! This is the money shot! I love this bird flying across the pond! 

There were so many water monitors swimming around! The Vernons loved to see them! 

Here is one swimming closer to shore!

This fellow was just a few feet from us. He was covered with leaves that were floating on the water.

These guys are cooling in the shade! 

Mommy - daughter photo! 

The grandchildren!

Lumphini park is so beautiful. It is a little oasis in the busy city! 

But it was so hot out, so it was time to head over to Central Park Dusit Thani to enjoy a break in the air conditioning. I came across some friend bananas and Thai pancakes in the food court on the basement floor, so we bought some to taste! Snack time! 10/10 we would eat these again! 

Iconic escalator photo spot! 

Central Park roof top gardens overlooking Lumphini Park. 

Drew, Audrey, Jenna, Michelle, me, and August! 

Taking a picture of taking a picture of the gorgeous view! 

Audrey and August dancing in the garden fountain! 

Next stop, is the tallest building in Bangkok! 

The Mahonakhon Building! It loos like a giant Jenga game! 

The elevator ride up to the 84th floor has a fancy video playing on all of the walls! 

The skyline view! 

More of the Bangkok Skyline! 

Dance on the glass floor hanging of the 84th floor - if you dare! 

Have a seat when you are tired of dancing! 

Another amazing view of Bangkok! 

Back on the ground level of the building, we walked through the lasar light show rooms! 

And there were some crazy mirrors! 

Five of me! 

More mirrors! 

We ended the day at the SW1 night market to buy some dinner and relax. Before we got to the market, someone in the family commented that this part of Bangkok reminded them of NYC! And then we saw the Times Square sign!! Who knew??

Thursday evening, I stopped in the office to get a little work done and found these beautiful flowers and card for Elder Brady from our many friends in the Country Office! 

Friday morning, we took off to go on the Hop on Hop off boat tour along the Chao Phraya River. 

We took the MRT (underground subway) and then walked 3/4 of a mile to get to the river. We came across this beautiful Banyon tree hanging over a klong. 

Then we caught the ferry across the river to the Icon Siam Mall where we would buy our tickets for the hop on hop off boat. 

I had to show the kids where grandpa and grandma stayed last summer for the YSA conference. The beautiful Millennium Hilton Hotel overlooking the river! 

Icon Siam Mall!! (Getting ready for Songkran)! 

We walked around the ground floor where the theme is a Thai floating market. We found a Korean food booth that was selling "smiley fries!"

We also found a cool booth where you could make your own refrigerator magnets! 

Finally we hopped on the Hop On Hop Off Boat! 

The wind felt good in the 100 degree heat! Everything is just a little bit cooler on the water! 

We stopped at Wat Arun! This is a stunning ancient ruin! 

Here is a brief history from the google:

Wat Arun, the "Temple of Dawn," is a 17th-century Buddhist temple on the Chao Phraya River, originating from the Ayutthaya period as Wat Makok. It became a major landmark after King Taksin rebuilt it as his royal palace temple in the late 18th century and housed the Emerald Buddha here. Its iconic spires were built under Kings Rama II and III.

I love the intricate details! 

Audrey soaking it all in! 

On to the Grand Palace! John posed by this very same statue back in the 70s when he was first a missionary in Thailand. 

Some that glitters here is indeed gold! 

More beauty at the grand palace.

Smile!

Taking pictures of people taking pictures (Michelle) is my favorite thing to do! 

The mosaic designs are stunning!

The temple of the Emerald Buddha.

The sun peaks behind this structure.

The Grand Palace! We brought umbrellas to stay shaded!

We took a tuk tuk ride! You have to at least once!

Smile! 

Our last stop was Wat Pho! The Temple of the Reclining Buddha! 

This Buddha was very large! 

I love how people come to these temple grounds and dress up and take pictures! 

Audrey chilling with the chimps! 

Friday late afternoon, after our Bangkok touring, I went to the hospital to pick up John! After two weeks, he was finally able to go home! 

We were almost home when I noticed our Grab driver had a contraption to hold up a second phone. 

So he could watch a show while he was driving!!!!!! 

Home at last! 

Michelle, Drew and the grandchildren August, Jenna, and Audrey come over to say their final goodbyes to grandpa! :( It was such a wonderful, but short, visit. And it certainly was not the trip we had planned, but we are so grateful they came to Thailand. It was fun to show them where we live and what we have been doing and it lifted our spirits to have them here. 

Friday evening, we went back to the SW1 market for dinner. John stayed home and rested. 

I had a banana and Nutella Roti! And it was out of this world! 

Smile! 

Some last minute souvenir shopping. 

Saturday morning at 6:30am waiting for the train to the airport. 

On the train, feeling a little sad to be apart again. Audrey's blue eyes are brimming with tears. 

John got so many nice notes, flowers, and some cookies! 

Saturday and Sunday were spent resting, relaxing, recuperating, 

and catching up on General Conference! 

Monday morning we took a slow walk to the hospital for some follow up appointments. 

We passed this Pizza parlor with such an inviting name! 

We saw Songkran displays up celebrating the Thai New Year! 

Good morning Tuesday!!! 100 degrees!!

Tuesday afternoon, the Senior Missionaries gathered in front of the temple to take a photo and then head out to participate in some Songkran activities! We were dressed for the occasion and most had water guns! Pictured are: the Justensens and Meekers (from the West Mission Office), Calls and me (East Mission Office - Elder Brady stayed home), the Popes, Burminghams, and Hoers (from Pakistan - displaced because of the war and working on their humanitarian projects long distance from Thailand), and President and Sister Rich (West Mission Leaders). 

The subway was PACKED! Three trains went by before we could even squeeze on!

I made some new friends! They wanted me to airdrop them this photo after I took it! 

Heading up the escalator!

Charlie's Angels! I inherited the tiny squirt gun from the Belnaps! 

Don't you worry! It packs a punch! 

Watering the orchids! 

The party has begun! Do you see the clay on my face? People run up to you during Songkran and pat your face with clay. Here is what the google says:

The white powder or clay paste applied during Songkran, known as din sor pong, symbolizes blessings, good luck, and protection for the new year. Traditionally mixed with water and applied to faces, it represents purification and acts as a cooling agent against the April heat.

Here we are absolutely drenched! Let me tell you about it. This year Songkran was a little different! Last year we went to a family friendly event with big inflatable teddy bears and kiddie pools! We got splashed with a little bit of water here and there. Well, we headed across town to the park across from the grand palace only to see it was empty! No Songkran festivities were there! (We found out later that in honor of the Queen Mother's passing, the festival was not being held there but at a park that was much closer to where we actually live!) We walked past the park and followed the crowds to a street that was roped off and you had to walk through security to get on the street! Then it was chaos and medlum! Well maybe not that bad . . . but we were like herded cattle walking this street jammed with people and loud music and dancing on the sides! And we were sprayed with squirt guns, hoses, buckets of water! My tiny squirt guns were useless! Haha! We got thoroughly soaked! It actually felt good in the 100 degree heat! We finally found an exit after about 45 minutes of being doused! It was a blast! 

We survived Songkran! 

Thursday - today - The Calls joined me for a house inspection in Chachoengsao. Here we are waiting for the train! John normally drives to this house inspection because it is far enough away that it makes the most sense to drive. There is one other way to get there and that is to take the train! 

This rail line is not one of the new sky trains or subways! This rail line opened in 1903. When John was here in the 70s, you could take the bus or the train to get around. This train runs right behind where we live. The airport Sky train runs above this train. I have been wanting to ride it since we got here! Today was the perfect day for it! Look at these cute benches at the train station.

The train arrives! 

We are smiling because we just paid for our fare! Only 12 Baht each. That means for the 3 of us, we paid just over $1 to travel 33 miles!!

This little girl was so cute to watch! She loved looking out the window! 

So did I! The landscape was beautiful! Here you can see some of the rice fields! 

This old train station was abandoned. You don't buy tickets at the station, a conductor walks through the train and collects your Baht. 

We made it to Chachoengsao station. 

We were still 3 miles from the Elder's house so we planned to take a Grab (taxi). 

But this tuk tuk driver matched the grab fare, so we said, "why not?" 

When in Thailand, you should definitely take tuk tuk ride!

We made it to the missionaries' house and they had a successful inspection! 

Way to go Elders Nielsen, Park, Clark, and Jones! 

After the inspection, we walked 1/3 a mile to the mall for lunch. The Elders wanted to go to Korean food! I had Bulgogi! It was delicious! The cheese looking topping was actually egg! 

Smile! We are full and happy! We caught a grab home because we missed the 2:05pm train and didn't want to wait another 2 hours! 

I am back in the office now! We missed having John with us. He stayed home and worked in the office and took a little nap! We want him to get well and be back to 100% as soon as possible!

I am getting this out a day early, because tomorrow is immigration! We will be up at 3:30am to begin our day! Wish us luck! 

Thanks for reading!

We love you!